Author: Peter D'Abrosca

Supreme Court Decision Claims Minnesota County Officials Bullied Amish Over Religious Beliefs

Peter D'Abrosca

The Supreme Court recently decided in favor of a Fillmore County Amish community after the county attempted to force the Amish to violate their religious beliefs by installing a septic system, after a lower court had previously ruled in favor of the county and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 

According to the Court’s decision, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, the county engaged in bullying tactics in an attempt to get the Swartzentruber Amish community to agree to its terms. Those tactics included “threats of reprisals and inspections of their homes and farms” and attacks on “the sincerity of the Amish’s faith.”

Read the full story

Controversial Byphalia Pipeline Project Shut Down After Protests

Peter D'Abrosca

After a flurry of protests featuring high-profile activists, politicians and a public relations campaign against the project, the company that was planning to build the Byphalia Pipeline through Memphis abruptly canceled the project Friday.

The pipeline, which left-wingers deemed “racist” because it would have run through mostly black South Memphis neighborhoods, would have transmitted crude oil from a Valero refinery in Memphis all the way to Mississippi.

Read the full story

McAuliffe Exposed for Selective Editing in Campaign Attack Ad

Peter D'Abrosca

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), once again a candidate for the state’s highest office, was caught selectively editing statements made years ago by his Republican opponent for a campaign ad. 

McAuliffe, according to a Washington Post fact-checker, purposefully took quotes from his Republican opponent Glenn Youngkin out of context in order to make it appear that Youngkin had praised McAuliffe during the latter’s first stint as governor. 

Read the full story

300 Tennessee National Guard Troops Remain at Southern Border

Peter D'Abrosca

A Friday report revealed that 300 Tennessee National Guard troops are deployed to the U.S. southern border with Mexico, and that they’ll likely remain there until October. 

“We’ve had National Guard on the border on and off for many months, if not years,” Gov. Bill Lee (R) told The Tennesseean. “There’s a break in service between them, but right now we have 300.”

Read the full story

Virginians No Longer Required to Disclose HIV+ Status to Sexual Partners

Peter D'Abrosca

It is no longer a crime for Virginians to fail to disclose their HIV+ status before engaging in sexual activities with an unknowing partner, after legislation from the General Assembly’s spring session took effect Thursday. 

The new law says that it is not a crime to unknowingly transmit the virus, for which there is no cure, unless the person transmitting intended to do so. Under the new law, an accuser must also prove that they contracted the virus. 

Read the full story

Tennessee’s Weekly Unemployment Claims Jump, but Continuing Claims Decline

Peter D'Abrosca

Tennessee’s weekly jobs report shows that while continuing unemployment claims dropped for the third week in a row, new unemployment claims jumped slightly. 

According to the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, during the week of June 26 there were 4,970 unemployment claims, a spike of 254 claims statewide from the previous week. But overall, unemployment claims dropped from 50,671 to 49,909, a drop of 762. 

Read the full story

Loudoun County Teacher Takes Gender Pronoun Fight to Virginia Supreme Court

Peter D'Abrosca

After an elementary school teacher in Loudoun County was suspended for voicing his opposition to using students’ preferred gender pronouns at a school board meeting, his case might be headed to the Virginia Supreme Court. 

Tyson Langhofer, an attorney for Byron Tanner Cross who is an elementary physical education teacher in the district, has filed a brief with the state’s highest Court asking it not to hear Loudoun County’s appeal on the issue. 

Read the full story

Republican Students Petition Against Vaccine Mandate at Virginia Tech

Peter D'Abrosca

Right-leaning students at a Virginia institute of higher learning are petitioning the school against its policy of mandatory vaccinations. 

“Virginia Tech students delivered a petition with about 500 signatures that urges Virginia Tech to end a policy requiring students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to take classes in the fall,” according to The Center Square. 

Read the full story

National Democratic Leader Endorses Turner’s Ohio Congressional Primary Opponent

Peter D'Abrosca

Defining a clear line between the progressive and moderate wings of the Democrat Party, the third-highest ranking member of the U.S. House endorsed a primary opponent of frontrunner Nina Turner in Ohio’s 11th District special election. 

“What I try to do is demonstrate by precept and example how we are to proceed as a party,” Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC-06) said after his endorsement of Shontel Brown. “When I spoke out against sloganeering, like ‘Burn, baby, burn’ in the 1960s and ‘defund the police,’ which I think is cutting the throats of the party, I know exactly where my constituents are. They are against that, and I’m against that.”

Read the full story

Hagerty Raises Red Flags over Migrant Children Relocated to Tennessee

Peter D'Abrosca

Nearly a month after news broke that the Biden administration is quietly resettling migrant children in Tennessee, more questions than answers remain.

“I’m pushing hard for transparency on this and the Biden administration is blocking us,” Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) said in an interview with Fox News. “You notice they move these planes in the dead of night. They’re coming in both by commercial airlines as well as private air, and the planes that we’ve found out about at least, are landing after midnight. They’re dispersing the people coming in. We’re hearing they’re unaccompanied minors. They could be adults.

Read the full story

Nashville Business Owner Sues over Transgender Bathroom Signs

Peter D'Abrosca

A Nashville business owner and Chattanooga business owner have filed a federal lawsuit against Tennessee state officials over a new law requiring signage on transgender bathrooms that is scheduled to take effect on July 1. 

“Bob Bernstein, owner of Bongo Java and Fido in Nashville, and Kye Sayers, who operates Sanctuary Performing Arts and Community Café in Chattanooga, have filed a lawsuit against multiple state and local officials,” WKRN reported.

Read the full story

Manhunt on for Teens Who Escaped Somerville Detention Facility

Peter D'Abrosca

A manhunt is on for two teens who remain at large, after three detainees from the Wilder Youth Development Center outside of Memphis escaped last Wednesday.

“The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified this morning June 23, 2021 at approximately 6:45 am of (3) youth detainees that had escaped from the Wilder Youth Development Center in Somerville between 12:45 am and 1:00 am overnight,” the Fayette County Sheriff’s office said in a press release. “They left in an unknown direction of travel and by unknown means of travel after escape from the facility. Two of the escapees are from Memphis, TN and one is from Chattanooga, TN. One of the escapees has previously escaped from the facility in one of the earlier incidents.”

Read the full story

Virginia College Will Segregate Students with Vaccination Badges

Peter D'Abrosca

Citing a tip from a student, Young America’s Foundation Monday morning reported that Emory & Henry College in Virginia will require students to wear special lanyards designating their COVID-19 vaccination status. 

“After listening to voices desiring a safe return to a more normal campus environment and using the date available to us regarding COVID-19 vaccination rates, the campus has decided that having a visible showing those who are vaccinated is the best route for our campus,” Dean of Students Tracey Wright said in an email to students. “Therefore, we are providing all who are fully vaccinated with a special lanyard that must be worn on campus.” 

Read the full story

Virginia’s Dem Candidates for Governor Refuse to Meet with Police Union

Peter D'Abrosca

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association (VPBA) blasted the Democrat Party’s candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, after none of them showed up to a candidate screening event Thursday. 

“We are concerned and surprised that none of the Democratic candidates were willing to meet with our representatives and discuss issues that are important to our members,” Sean McGowan, executive director of the VBPA reportedly said. “This is the first time in the history of the Virginia PBA that an entire ticket refused to meet with our law enforcement representatives.”

Read the full story

Ohio Legislators Propose Redo for High School Seniors Affected by COVID

Peter D'Abrosca

Bipartisan bills in the Ohio state House and Senate would allow last school year’s high-school seniors to voluntarily re-enroll in the fall, allowing them a second chance after a school year decimated by COVID-19 lockdown measures. 

“Under a measure introduced this week by GOP Sen. Andrew Brenner, of Delaware, and Democratic Sen. Teresa Fedor, of Toledo, students who just finished their senior year could re-enroll in 12th grade this fall to take the same classes and get another round of eligibility for sports,” Associated Press reported. 

Read the full story

Arizona Border Patrol Arrests DACA Recipient in Human Smuggling Attempt

Peter D'Abrosca

A recipient of former President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program benefits was arrested by Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents Wednesday.

The suspect, a female citizen of El Salvador, along with a male counterpart who is a U.S. Citizen, were caught attempting to smuggle four Mexican nationals across the border illegally, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) press release said.

Read the full story

DOJ Suing Georgia over Election Integrity Law

Peter D'Abrosca

The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to sue the state of Georgia over its recently-enacted election integrity law, according to Friday reports. 

SB 202, according to Washington Post, “discriminate[s] against Black Americans,” and is “is the first major voting rights case the Justice Department has filed under the Biden administration and comes as Republican-led state governments across the country have been seeking to impose broad new voting restrictions in the wake of President Biden’s victory over Donald Trump last November.”

Read the full story

Arizona Sen. Kelly Pressured to Recuse from Chipman Confirmation Vote

Peter D'Abrosca

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is facing calls to recuse himself from the confirmation process David Chipman, the controversial nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

According to Breitbart, a proclamation was issued against Kelly in the Arizona House of Representatives over a conflict of interest. It was first introduced by Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-District 1).

Read the full story

Democrats Fume over Sinema’s Refusal to End Filibuster

Peter D'Abrosca
Kyrsten Sinema

Democrats are reacting to an opinion piece by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), published in The Washington Post, wherein she defended her stance against ending the filibuster. 

“Filibuster supporters be like: we should let Republicans destroy democracy now because at some indeterminate time in the future they may try again,” said Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY-17), taking a subtle dig at Sinema. 

Read the full story

DeWine to Skip Ohio Trump Rally

Peter D'Abrosca

As former President Donald J. Trump prepares for a highly-anticipated rally in Ohio this weekend, the state’s top two politicians announced that they will not be in attendance. 

According to several reports, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has ““has previously scheduled family commitments” that disallow him from attending. Lt. Gov. John Husted (R) will also not attend. He has not given a reason for missing the event.

Read the full story

Arizona Lawmakers Approve Mandated Investigations into Mismatched Ballot Signatures

Peter D'Abrosca
John Kavanagh

The Republican-controlled Arizona House of Representatives passed an amendment to an election integrity bill Monday that would require county attorneys or the state Attorney General’s office to investigate mismatched signatures on early voting ballots. 

The amendment to SB 1241 by Rep. John Kavanagh (R-District 23) is meant to protect the integrity of early voting, and Arizona’s elections as a whole according to the representative. 

Read the full story

Progressives Accuse Arizona’s Senator Sinema of Supporting Jim Crow

Peter D'Abrosca
Krysten Sinema

As the progressive wing of the Democrat Party continues to clash with the rest of the party, one far-left group plans to spend millions calling Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) a racist for refusing to end the filibuster. 

“The group, Just Democracy, is spending $1.2 million for TV ads and another $200,000 on digital ads in Arizona from June 21 to June 30, said a spokesman for the group, adding the effort will feature two ads on cable news programs, local news and local sports in the state,” NBC reported. 

Read the full story

Leftists Pounce on DeSantis After Accidental Death During Pride Parade

Peter D'Abrosca
Pride Parade with group of people under large rainbow flag

After a person was struck and killed by an automobile at the Stonewall Pride Parade in Wilton Manors Saturday, the political left immediately jumped to blame Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) before the facts surrounding the incident became known. 

“This is a terrorist attack against the LGBT community,” Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis (D) said. “This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident. It was deliberate, it was premeditated, and it was targeted against a specific person. Luckily they missed that person, but unfortunately, they hit two other people.”

Read the full story

Democratic Congressional Candidate’s Close Ties to Islamic Activist Linda Sarsour Revealed

Peter D'Abrosca
Nina Turner and Linda Sarsour

A candidate for Congress in Ohio’s August 3 special election to replace Marcia Fudge, now the President Joe Biden-appointed secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has close ties to radical Islamic activist Linda Sarsour. 

“And I see and love you [Linda Sarsour],” Nina Turner, running for Congress in Ohio’s 11th district said in response to a 2019 tweet from Sarsour. 

Read the full story

Nikki Fried Denies Cannabis Conflict of Interest

Peter D'Abrosca

After a scathing report from The Orlando Sentinel tying Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried to the cannabis industry, the gubernatorial candidate has denied that there is any conflict of interest. 

“One of the sources of her income increase is from Ignite Florida, a consulting firm where she is sole proprietor and lobbies the marijuana industry. Specifically, she amended a 2018 financial statement on May 28 indicating she received $351,480 from the firm. Previously, she had to amend the same 2018 statements on January 30, 2020 saying she received $72,000 in 2018 income,” The Florida Capital Star reported. 

Read the full story

Prosecutors Counter Chauvin Attorney’s Bid for New Trial

Peter D'Abrosca

The prosecutors in former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial argued Thursday that the now-convicted murderer received a fair trial and should not be granted a new one. 

“The State firmly opposes Defendant’s post-verdict motions,” a memorandum submitted to the Hennepin County District Court says. “The jury unanimously convicted Defendant of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter based on the overwhelming evidence establishing Defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Read the full story

Creepy Map Shows Vaccination Rates in Michigan Towns

Peter D'Abrosca

In a creepy article titled “Are your neighbors vaccinated? Michigan map shows rates by census tracts,” Bridge Michigan posted a map of the state showing the density of vaccinated residents – in some cases down to the neighborhood level. 

The map shows that metro Detroit and Lansing are some of the most heavily vaccinated parts of the state, but concludes that vaccination rates “vary widely,” and that vaccination in predominantly black areas is occurring at a lower rate than in predominantly white areas.  

Read the full story

Georgia State House Seats with National Implications Up for Grabs in July Runoff

Peter D'Abrosca
House District 34

After no candidate succeeded in obtaining more than 50 percent of the vote Tuesday’s state House primaries, the two special elections are headed for a runoff. One of those special elections has national implications. 

Republican Devan Seabaugh will square off against Democrat Priscilla Smith for a seat in House District 34, in Cobb County. That seat could be an early indicator of voters’ satisfaction with President Joe Biden. 

Read the full story

Conservative Group Delivers Affidavits to Michigan Senate Leader, Demands Election Audit

Peter D'Abrosca

The Michigan Conservative Coalition Thursday demanded that the Republican-controlled state Senate conduct an audit of the 2020 election, like the one being conducted in Arizona. 

The group said that “as co-sponsor of the ‘Let Freedom Ring’ rally on June 17, will deliver over 7,000 notarized affidavits demanding a statewide audit of Michigan’s 2020 election, as allowed by the Michigan Constitution,” according to a Thursday press release. 

Read the full story

Southern Poverty Law Center Files Latest Lawsuit Against Florida’s New Election Law

Peter D'Abrosca

A far-left legal nonprofit has filed the latest lawsuit against the state of Florida over its new election integrity measures. 

“The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the groups HeadCount and the Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters Corp., is the fourth challenge to the law, which was passed in April by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed in May by Gov. Ron DeSantis,” Orlando Weekly reported. 

Read the full story

DeSantis Social Media Warrior Triggers Florida Media Outlets

Peter D'Abrosca
Christina Pushaw

The Press Secretary for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) tussled Monday and Tuesday with two prominent Florida news media outlets, accusing them of political bias.

Of [South Florida Sun Sentinel]’s last 10,000 Tweets, ONE (1) was positive about [Gov. Ron DeSantis]. And it was a Letter to the Editor. Not written by Sun Sentinel staff. This is absolutely incredible. And they will still say the bias is all in our imaginations,” Christina Pushaw said, citing an account called District AI that claims to be run by an artificial intelligence engineer. 

Read the full story

Michigan Republican Secretary of State Candidate Observes Arizona Election Audit

Peter D'Abrosca
Kristina Karamo

A Republican candidate for Secretary of State traveled to Arizona, where a high-profile audit of the 2020 general election results is taking place.

“Kristina Karamo, candidate to be Michigan’s next Secretary of State, is the only person from Michigan to make the trip to Maricopa County, AZ to see first-hand how Arizona’s audit of the 2020 election is being conducted,” a Karamo press release said.

Read the full story

Mediation Talks Between Florida, CDC Unsuccessful in Cruise Ship Battle

Peter D'Abrosca
People boarding a cruise ship

Mediation talks between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state of Florida have been unsuccessful, as the federal agency and the state duke it out in court over who controls the cruise ship industry’s return to business as usual. 

“Settlement talks have ended in the legal battle between Florida and the federal government about restrictions on the cruise-ship industry,” according to WKMG. “U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli, who has served as a mediator, said in a court filing Friday that a settlement conference was unsuccessful.”

Read the full story

One Dead After Car Hits Minneapolis Protestors

Peter D'Abrosca
Minneapolis Police Department

One person is dead and three injured after a car ran over a group of protestors in Minneapolis Sunday night. 

“One person was taken into custody late Sunday night after driving a vehicle into a group of protesters gathered at West Lake Street and Girard Avenue South in Uptown,” according to WCCO. “Minneapolis Police said through a news release that police officers monitoring the protest on camera witnessed an eastbound vehicle drive into the a group of protesters at 11:39 p.m.”

Read the full story

Ohio Republicans Move to Exempt Doctors from Providing Abortions on Religious Grounds

Peter D'Abrosca
Image of a doctor's uniform

Ohio Republicans have added a provision to the state’s two year budget bill that would allow doctors and insurance providers to refuse to perform and pay for abortions if abortion violates their moral or religious beliefs. 

State Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) is responsible for the new language in the bill, according to The Columbus Dispatch. That language would also protect doctors and insurance companies from lawsuits by those to whom they  refuse service, the report said. 

Read the full story

Florida Rep. Crist Proposes Gun Control Measures on Campaign Trial

Peter D'Abrosca

The former Republican governor of Florida turned Democrat congressman, who is once again mounting a gubernatorial bid, made his case for gun control during a Friday campaign appearance. 

“One of the most common-sense things that we can do is ban assault weapons,” Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL-13) said in Miami Beach. “It is hard for me to imagine why we already don’t do that.” 

Read the full story

Judge Rejects Bid to Move MLB All Star Game Back to Georgia

Peter D'Abrosca

A federal judge Friday ruled against a nonprofit that sued Major League Baseball for moving its All Star game from Atlanta to Denver. 

“U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Carponi ruled against a not-for-profit organization representing small businesses, saying a lawsuit had failed to provide proof that its members have suffered any injuries by the decision to move the game,” Associated Press reported. 

Read the full story

Florida Black Republican Hasn’t Been Allowed to Join Congressional Black Caucus

Peter D'Abrosca

A Florida Black Republican congressman blasted the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in an interview with CNN, calling the group “off-putting” for ignoring his request for membership.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL-19) said he has “not really heard much from the CBC” since he attempted to join the group, and that nobody on the caucus has reached out to him to explain anything.

Read the full story

Nessel Asked If Lockdown-Defying Restaurant Owner Could be Arrested Before Appearing on Fox News

Peter D'Abrosca

In a shocking abuse of state power against a private citizen, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) asked if she could have a restaurateur who defied lockdown before she could join “Tucker Carlson Tonight” for an interview about her defiance. 

“Do we know her whereabouts? We should just have her picked up before she goes on. This is outrageous,” Nessel said in an email to staff on March 12. 

Read the full story

DeWine Speaks Out Against Bill to Ban Vaccine Passports

Peter D'Abrosca

Gov. Mike DeWine (R) will not support a bill that would essentially ban vaccine passports from the state of Ohio. 

H.R. 248, called the “Vaccine Choice and Anti-discrimination Act,” would allow Ohioans to choose not to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and would allow parents to decide whether their children should take it. It would prevent the state or businesses from discriminating against those who have not taken the vaccine. 

Read the full story

Democrats Blast Omar for Comparing America, Israel to Taliban

Peter D'Abrosca

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) caused another rift in the Democrat Party this week when she openly compared the United States and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas in a now-deleted tweet. 

After an exchange with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, wherein Omar demanded an International Criminal Court investigation into possible war crimes in Afghanistan and Palestine, Omar took to Twitter, saying there have been “unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban.”

Read the full story

DeSantis Wants Bill Banning Chemical Castration of Minors

Peter D'Abrosca

In a Monday interview with Daily Caller, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) continued to bolster his chops as a social conservative, saying he would happily sign a bill preventing doctors from prescribing sex-changing hormone treatments to children. 

“I’m very much opposed to chemical castration of minors, I honestly didn’t know this existed until a few years ago,” DeSantis said during the interview. “That would be something I would sign for sure.” 

Read the full story